Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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recent bloodwork

nomorera
nomorera
I got some bloodwork back today with mixed results.

My sed rate is NORMAL!!! YAY - that means the LDN is WORKING!!!

However when I was taking the MTX in December my hemoglobin dropped to 11.1 and hasn't come back up. She wants me to see my regular doctor to follow up with that. I am SO glad to be off the MTX.

I wonder if that could be why I feel fatigued alot of the time???
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yay for you! Great news.

I was on MTX for 4 years and then it stopped working so I was taken off and put on Arava. That was +- 6 months ago and the fatigue has gotten so much better. It is great not to feel so fatigued ALL the time! It definitely was the MTX that was sapping all my energy. Hope you feel more energized the longer you are off it.

Blessings
Sheila
deleted_user
deleted_user
Low hemoglobin could definitely be causing your fatigue.

Let us know what you find out. Especially since many of us are taking it. How long were you in MTX?
nomorera
nomorera
I was only on the MTX for 6 weeks. It's been 2 months since I've been off and the hemoglobin hasn't come up at all. Went in for urine test and have to give a stool culture (ick) to see if I have any internal bleeding going on. Yippee, more tests with no health insurance. Gotta love it.
nomorera
nomorera
Urine test came back with a "large" bilirubin count. Have to go in for bloodwork today to check electrolytes. I am not liking this. Can't do the stool culture for 7 days because of the NSAIDS I've been taking, but the good news is there is no blood in my urine.
Rheumy called today (she's good about that) and said she will prescribe mincycline but she thinks I may have to go back on the MTX. I told her we are not chasing that cow down the road...lol. She is Polish and I don't think she get's my sense of humor.
Just wanted to share with you all. This site is becoming my lifeline in this.